Not all people with depression will show all symptoms or have them to the same degree. If a person has four or more symptoms, for more than two weeks, consult a doctor or mental health professional right away. While the symptoms specified for all groups below generally characterize major depression, there are other disorders with similar characteristics including: bipolar illness, anxiety disorder, or attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity.

In Adults

Persistent sad or "empty" mood.

Feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless, pessimistic and/or guilty.

Substance abuse.

Fatigue or loss of interest in ordinary activities, including sex.

Disturbances in eating and sleeping patterns.

Irritability, increased crying, anxiety or panic attacks.

Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions.

Thoughts of suicide; suicide plans or attempts.

Persistent physical symptoms or pains that do not respond to treatment.

In Infants

It’s important to understand what constitutes normal development in infants, children and adolescents vs. what may be signs of a depressive illness.

Unresponsive when talked to or touched, never smile or cry, or may cry often being difficult to soothe.

Failure to gain weight (not due to other medical illness).

Unmotivated in play.

Restless, oversensitive to noise or touch.

Problems with eating or sleeping.

Digestive disorders (constipation/diarrhea).

In Children

In children, depressive illnesses/anxiety may be disguised as, or presented as, school phobia or school avoidance, social phobia or social avoidance, excessive separation anxiety, running away, obsessions, compulsions, or everyday rituals, such as having to go to bed at the exact time each night for fear something bad may happen. Chronic illnesses may be present also since depression weakens the immune system. Other signs include persistent unhappiness, negativity, complaining, chronic boredom, no initiative.

Uncontrollable anger with aggressive or destructive behavior, possibly hitting themselves or others, kicking or self-biting or head banging.

Energy fluctuations from lethargic to frenzied activity, with periods of normalcy.

Eating or sleeping problems.

Bedwetting, constipation, diarrhea.

Impulsiveness, accident-prone.

Chronic worry & fear, clingy, panic attacks.

Extreme self-consciousness.

Slowed speech & body movements.

Disorganized speech - hard to follow when telling you a story, etc.

Physical symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, stomachaches, arms or legs ache, nail-biting, pulling out hair or eyelashes. (ruling out other medical causes)

Suicidal talk or attempts.

In Adolescents

Depressive illnesses/anxiety may be disguised as, or presented as, eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia, drug/alcohol abuse, sexual promiscuity, risk-taking behavior such as reckless driving, unprotected sex, carelessness when walking across busy streets, on bridges or cliffs. There may be social isolation, running away, constant disobedience, getting into trouble with the law, physical or sexual assaults against others, obnoxious behavior, failure to care about appearance/hygiene, no sense of self or of values/morals, difficulty cultivating relationships, inability to establish/stick with occupational/educational goals.

Inability to concentrate, think straight, remember, or make decisions, possibly resulting in refusal to study in school or an inability (due to depression or attention deficit disorder) to do schoolwork.

Slowed or hesitant speech or body movements, or restlessness (anxiety).

Preoccupation with death themes in literature, music, drawings, speaking of death repeatedly, fascination with guns/knives.

Suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts.

In the Elderly

Many people feel that it is normal for elderly persons to be depressed. This is a dangerous misconception. If you suspect an older adult is suffering from a depressive illness, a thorough medical examination should be given as soon as possible.